a closer look (Sony CPD-G400)

Member Name: ryanbritto

Product:	Sony CPD-G400
Date:	17/01/01 (1770 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: crisp, clear

Disadvantages: expensive

This is by far and away the best monitor I have used.

I started thinking about getting a new monitor after I got a 17? Trinitron FD at the office, which is similar to G400, but smaller. I decided to look for a 19" for my own home use. There are several manufacturers that make flat CRTs for computer monitors, but the major two players are Sony Trinitron FD and Mitsubishi Diamondtron NF.

This Sony G400 is what I have finally ended up with after going through several Mitsubishi and Sony monitors. To keep this review easily readable, I will list what I like about this Sony G400 and compare them with other monitors.

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Positive:
Flat
We all know that in the past, most CRTs are slightly curved on the surface. However, once you are used to a flat monitor (or an LCD, which I have one too), you will never want to go back to a curved monitor. The flat surface simply makes working on the computer so much more pleasant and eyes less tired after a while.

Crisp
I initially tried a 19? Mitsubishi Diamondtron NF, which is also flat and is based on similar, but not completely identical, technology as the Sony Trinitron FD. Because the way these flat CRTs are, it is very hard for the manufacturers to keep both the center of the screen and the edge of the screen crisp and clear. (If you go to a store, try to display an entire screen of text on a flat screen CRT, and then compare the center of the screen to the corners of the screen, you will see what I mean. The center is usually more crisp than the corners.) This difference is true even after extensive adjustments.

In any case, I was not very happy with the 19? Mitsubishi Diamondtron NF because the crispness of the center and the corners are just too significantly apart. As such, I returned the Mitsubishi and went with the Sony G400. I have been very happy with this model. If you take a magnifying glass, you can still tell the difference
between the center and the corners, but under normal viewing, you wouldn?t see the difference. Note that again, with any monitor you purchase, some setting adjustments are usually necessary.

Two Analog Inputs
For whatever reason, the Sony G400 allows two analog input signals. There is a switch at the bottom of the monitor to select which input will be used for display. This is a great design for people who have a desktop at home, but also carry a laptop. You will be able to hook up the laptop and the desktop to the monitor at the same time and switch between the two very easily. This is one of those simple things that provide a very nice touch for those who need it. This is also something that the Mitsubishi Diamondtron NF does not have. For those who do not need this ability, it will just act like a regular monitor.

Controls
I like its joystick-like control, but I have heard complaints from people saying it is not very easy to use. I think it may take some time to get used to, but once you have used it a few times, it?s actually a very efficient way of adjusting the monitor.

TCO ?99 and Very High Resolution
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how the G400 and the E400 are different. I even called Sony and the people I talked to could not tell me much other than that G400 supports higher resolution than E400. However, note that you are unlikely to use the highest resolution supported by either monitor anyway.

Well, after a lot of research, I found that the G400 is TCO? 99 compliant where as the E400 is not. Without going into too much detail, TCO? 99 is basically a more strict standard regarding different kinds of emissions that CRT produces, as well as some environmental issues related to the manufacturing and disposal of these monitors. Sony seems to be aiming the G400 for corporate users and E400 for consumers because companies are more likely to pay more to have TCO? 99 monitors. (If E400 is TCO? 99 complia
nt, Sony certainly is not advertising that.) I guess whether you are willing to pay the premium to get a G400 instead of E400 is up to you.

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Negative:
Expensive
No kidding. Most places have this monitor for some £400. I was fortunate to get my hands on a new one for just under £300. Still, it?s a significant investment. The Mitsubishi Diamondtron NF ones are slightly cheaper, but still, you do pay a premium for any flat screen CRT monitors, and with the Sony brand, you would have to pay even more.

Heavy
This monitor is heavy. You would have to move it carefully to not to hurt yourself, and I am no joking when I say this. It?s not larger than a typical monitor, but it is indeed very heavy.


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Final Thought
If you work a lot on the computer or play games, this monitor is well worth the money. It is crisp, flat, and just much easier on the eyes than any other CRT monitors I have used.

Summary: